Surat: Report of forensic science laboratory (FSL) confirmed on Wednesday that the homeopathy medicine added to the deadly liquor mix that claimed six lives, contained methanol with high concentration of nearly 90%. The mix was prepared by a mother-daughter duo who were nabbed on Monday. The duo was remanded to police custody till January 30 by a local court here.

However, police have yet to find out the exact quantity of the homeopathy medicine mixed with the Indian Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL) that led to the deaths.

Usually, homeopathy medicine contains ethyl alcohol and not methanol. The two accused woman - Sheela Rana and her daughter Nimisha Rana - used the homeopathy medicine as it contained ethyl alcohol in higher concentration. However, this time the homeopathy medicine supplier gave the duo medicine with methanol.

Police have yet to lodge a complaint against the medicine supplier, who sold the liquid to the accused women.

"The medicine seller was aware that the women were using the medicine to make liquor. He had sold them medicines in past that had high concentration of ethyl alcohol. But somehow this time there was methanol in the medicine which the seller had obtained from some other supplier," said Satish Sharma, city police commissioner.

Police had seized over 800 bottles in stock of the medicine Thuja (30) and Bryonia (30) from the supplier. The seized stock has been sent for FSL testing to find out if the entire stock contained methanol.

"Police have also asked the food and drug department to check if similar medicine is being sold in other parts of the state. We have asked the department concerned to ensure that the stock is withdrawn from circulation immediately," added Sharma.

Subscribe ETHealthworld Newsletter

Health Wallet not only addresses the current needs of the customers by paying for their hospitalisation and OPD expenses that are usually not covered by health insurance policies, but also ensures affordability of continuing their policy in later years.